Upon the midnight clear: Christmas Eve services

Today's TV

December 24, 1996|By Chris Kaltenbach | Chris Kaltenbach,SUN STAFF

Of course, everyone will be going to bed early tonight; the sooner you fall asleep, the earlier Santa comes by. But if you really need to check out what's on the tube, here are a few possibilities, almost all reruns. Hey, even TV stars deserve Christmas off.

"Roseanne" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WMAR, Channel 2) -- In a repeat of the season opener, the Conners hit it big in the lottery. Apparently to balance things out, the show has been lousy ever since. ABC.

"Mad About You" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- Paul has to explain why he's late to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time -- something about misplacing his father. NBC.

"Something So Right" (8: 30 p.m.-9 p.m., WBAL, Channel 11) -- One of the more pleasant surprises of the current TV season repeats its opener, with Mel Harris ("thirtysomething") and Jere Burns ("Dear John") trying to make like a '90s Brady Bunch -- only in this one, her son is in lust with his daughter. NBC.

"In the House" (9 p.m.-9: 30 p.m., WNUV, Channel 54) -- Even George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford, who are actually playing other characters, but will always be George and Weezy to us) can't spread much holiday cheer here, as the parents keep bickering and Marion (LL Cool J) has his money stolen. But then, Mrs. Claus herself shows up to set things right. (Bonus: this isn't even a rerun.) UPN.

Church services (midnight-1: 30 a.m., WMAR, Channel 2; 11: 35 p.m.-1 a.m., WBAL, Channel 11; and 11: 35 p.m.-12: 35 a.m, WJZ, Channel 13) -- For those who can't get out to midnight services themselves, TV does what it can: WBAL is broadcasting from St. Peter's in Rome and WJZ from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, while WMAR is sticking close to home, with a live transmission of Mass from the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen, celebrated by Cardinal William Keeler.

Cable

"Remember WENN" (2 p.m.-3 p.m., repeats 8: 15 p.m.-9: 15 p.m., AMC) -- Betty Buckley is the guest star as the radio station staff celebrates what would turn out to be its last pre-World War II Christmas.

"Myth America" (8 p.m.-8: 30 p.m., repeats 11 p.m.-11: 30 p.m., The Learning Channel) -- A host of myths surrounding American holidays and the way they are celebrated are shattered. Did you realize, for instance, that Christmas only became a national holiday in the mid-1800s?

"Silent Running" (11 p.m.-1 a.m., Sci-Fi) -- Bruce Dern does a nice job as an astronaut charged with tending the last of the Earth's plant life, which had been launched into space years ago. Only now, he's been ordered to destroy his cargo, and he's not sure that's a good idea. Watch this, and you may see where George Lucas got his inspiration for Artoo-Detoo.